THE KIRKLEY HALL ESTATE

TRADITIONAL HEDGE PROJECT

The project brief for this job was to relay an old hedge that had not been maintained for some time. The hedge was to be relaid in the Derbyshire regional style, but using natural hazel stakes instead of sawn timber.

Work commenced and a small team of appentices got stuck in under the watchful eye of ‘Champion Hedge Layer’ David Boyson.

Tools used were a mix of traditional and modern being; Billhooks, Yorkshire Billhooks, Post Hammer, Loppers, Handsaws & Chainsaws.

The initial work was done while the hawthorne was dormant in November during the winter. The initial photographs show the work in progress and then the finished hedge. The later photgraphs were taken 6 months on in May of the following year. A beautiful, traditional ‘stock proof’ hedge, was created using only 100% natural materials.

This preserves the traditional look and feel of the English countryside, maintaining a natural habitat used by a plethora of native wildlife. This is part of our English heritage, a dying art that needs to be taught to a new generation.

To find out more about Traditional Hedge Laying, visit the NATIONAL HEDGELAYING SOCIETY website at:

https://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/